Bolton Wanderers were briefly in the EPL’s Champions League qualification spots after an emphatic trouncing of Newcastle at the Reebok Stadium last Saturday.

Sunday’s win for big-spending Manchester City knocked the Trotters back into fifth place but Owen Coyle’s increasingly-stylish team are providing value for the considerable money the club has spent in recent years.

However, Owen Coyle denied rumours that key players must be sold in January’s transfer window because of the record £35.4m losses reported by the club’s parent company, Burnden Leisure, earlier this month.

 

The club’s debt is now £93m. But Coyle insisted his transfer policy would remain unaffected.

Two days after the results announcement, he said: “If the right offer comes in for anybody, you would have to look at it. But I do not feel under any more pressure today than I was two days ago to sell players.”

Rumours particularly surrounded defender Gary Cahill and in-form striker Johan Elmander.

Elmander is currently EPL second-top scorer with eight goals, including two in the 5-1 demolition of Newcastle.

While Cahill tried to dampen speculation by telling the BBC: “I’m contracted to Bolton and I’m enjoying my football and my time here.”

Elmander and Kevin Davies both struck twice against Newcastle, Davies converting two penalties.

The previous week, Bolton won 3-2 at Wolves, with goals from Elmander, Stuart Holden and an own goal.

Afterwards, US international midfielder Holden praised Coyle for “giving me confidence in my own ability.”

Bolton entertain North-West rivals Blackpool in the EPL this Saturday.